The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-06-09

muck, (decayed vegetable matter(, varying from
eighteen inches to niue feet in depth, suscept.
Die ofthorough drainage, owing to the lowering of
feet, By the drainage canals Of the OkeecLobee
Company. The great fertility of these reclaimed
lands and their susceptibility OF being thoroughly
drained, make them the most desirable sugar lands
that have ever seen In my long experience of
thirty-six years rs a sugar planter. Another very
Important consideration in favor of the manufac-
turing OF sugar In Kissimmee and Okeechobee dis
trcts s the tropical climate of that section of the
peninsula where killing froets are of very rare &C.
currence, which assures the manufacturer four
months, from November LIST to March lst), to
manufacture into sugar the raw material of large
area cane fields. The great economy in fuel, the in
creased quantity and superior quality of the sugars
obtained by commencing manufacturing operations
after the cane has attained its full maturity, have
been often and satisfactorily proven by able and
most relia BILE scientists In Louisiana aud West In
dia Islands, that will abstain from further partic
uars on this point. From information gathered
from residents and non interested parties, and
sonal observations, find this reclaimed district to
be as healthy as any portion Of the peninsular free
from malarial complaints and nearly SO of winged
insects.
(sigued) L. A. BR1saIER.
Thousands of acres are now awaiting the hus-
bandman, while thousands are now being put in
cane, rice and other crops The fertility of the
drained lands is unsurpassed and must be to be
fully ap" reciated The reclaimed lands are partcu-
larly adapted TO grazing and stock raising. Your
committee having noted many herds of fine cattle
the herbage being from four feet high and of
the most nutritious and valuable character fields
OF wild millet, natural growth unknown before
the reclamation, now cover vast tracts, making Be
forage and the best of hay cutting from four six
tons per acre of natural grasses.
Your committee having only to report on the
susceptibility of drained lands to cultivation. find
that they susceptible in the highest degree to
profitable cultivation, particularly for rice and su
gar cane, the rice crop particularly being made at
little expense, requiring only breaking of the land,
sowing the seed and harvesting, cultivation be-
ing required, while the lands are left in perfect
condition for sugar cane destined doubtless to be
the greatest and most remunera,ive industry ofthe
Stste in the near future.
The immense value OF the reclaimed lands to the
their cultivation, make il of the utmost importance
10 the State, and particularly to the southern
ties that the drainage scheme be carried speedy
completion.
We therefore recommend that such legislative
action be had during the present session as will
authorize the Board of Internal Improvement to
act promptly and efficiently in securing the COM
pletion of the work.
J. L. GAsKINs,
W. H. NEIL.
Annual Rainfall in Inches. Compiled from the
Records of the United States Signal Service Sta
ton at Jacksonville, Fla.
hereby certify that accompanying rainfall data
is true and correct copy of the original record of
the United States Signal Service
J. w SMITH,
Officer in Charge.
Years 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879
Inches 6s7 6O65 1881 $50 552S 5O5s eO42 AIS